Convertible bed lounge



March 10, 1953 zlEGENFUSS 2,630,581

CONVERTIBLE BED LOUNGE Filed Dec. 10, 1949 INVENTOR. 75004016 Zf/VFMS'S Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE BED LOUNGE Truman S. Ziegenfuss, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 10, 1949, Serial No. 132,281

18 Claims.

My invention relates generally to lounges, studio couches, and similar articles of furniture which are adaptable for conversion from daytime to nighttime use. More particularly, my invention relates to a. pivotal single bed unit similar in some respects to the twin bed unit shown in my copending application, Serial No. 765,309, filed August 1, 1947, now Patent No. 2,495,494, granted January 24, 1950, and entitled Twin Bed and Lounge.

It is desirable in hotels, motels, tourist cabins, the staterooms of ocean liners, and in similar restricted bedroom-sitting room accommodations to provide furniture which may in the daytime serve as occasional and sitting room furniture, and which can be quickly and readily converted into sleeping accommodations for nighttime use. Furniture of this type is also desirable on many occasions in sitting rooms and guest rooms of private residences.

Among the various desirable features of such furniture are that it be easily changed from one condition into the other, that it require no elaborate unfolding or reconstruction to convert from one purpose to the other, and that storage space be provided in the article of furniture itself for blankets, pillows, and other bedding required for nighttime use.

Bearing in mind the foregoing desiderata, it is a major object of the present invention to provide a combination bed-lounge which is particularly adapted for hotels and similar accommodations.

It. is another object of the invention to provide such an article of furniture which does not sacrifice comfort to achieve the adaptability above described.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a structure which may be moved from daytime to nighttime position, and vice versa, without marring the floor or carpet, or in any other way causing damage to itself or the surroundings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the class described which is unitary, is readily set up, and in which easily accessible storage space is provided for bedding and the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the class described which is relatively inexpensive to construct and requires no complicated mechanical movements orloose parts to enable it to be changed from one condition to the other.

The. foregoing and additional objects and ad- '2 vantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of a combination bed-lounge embodying the invention, as i1- lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination bed-lounge embodying the invention, the unit being shown in full line in its daytime position, while the nighttime condition is shown in phantom line;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the article shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 33 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational section taken on the line 44 in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevational section taken on the line 55 in Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, it will be seen that the structure comprises generally, a stationary L- shaped table-like structure 9, and a relatively pivotal bed [0, having a semi-circular head end ll, received in a concave recess 3| of the structure 9. Interconnection between the stationary structure 9, and the bed H] is effected by means of an extending strut I2 secured to the underside of the structure 9, and having an upstanding pivot 13 received in a pivot bearing formed in a horizontal bottom [4 of the bed It), the axis of the pivot !3 being located at the center of curvature of the rounded head end I I. Thus, the bed l0 may be selectively positioned, as shown in Figure 1, either in parallel relationship with the back edge of the structure 9 or substantially perpendicular thereto, as indicated by the reference character 19a and shown in phantom line. Bed units having rounded head ends, as shown herein, are disclosed in my aforesaid copending application, Serial No. 765,309.

In order to solidly support the bed unit I0 in both of its positions 10 and 10a, and yet permit easy movement thereof between such positions, the head end is providedwith a pair of casters 2|, located adjacent each side of the bed, and secured to the bottom board l4, being substantially diametrically disposed with respect to the pivot point 13, and a pair of rollers l5 disposed adjacent opposite sides of the bed near the foot thereof, as seen best in Figure 2.

It will be noted that rollers ii are used adjacent the foot of the bed, instead of casters similar to those adjacent the head of the bed. The purpose of this arrangement is to avoid producing marks in a carpet or rug on which the structure may be standing, such as are produced by rolling a conventional caster-mounted piece of furniture thereon. I have found that when the weight of the bed is distributed over a relatively wide area, as by the rollers shown herein, no discernible impression is left on the carpet when the bed is swung from the position Hi to the position Ida, or vice versa. Inasmuch as the casters 2| are at all times during their travel under the bed I 0, no such expedient as the provision of the rollers l5 is required, although similar rollers may be employed at the head end of the bed if desired. While the impression on the nap of a rug, previously referred to, is visible and unsightly, no permanent injury is done to the rug thereby and accordingly, except for the unsightliness of the caster marks, casters may be employed where the path thereof will not be visible.

Referring again to the rollers !5, it will be noted that each thereof may be divided into a set of separate sections, as illustrated in Figure 3, the reason being that the outer end of the roller must revolve at a slightly greater rate than the inner end, and by dividing the roller up into sections I6, as shown, no appreciable portion thereof slips during the pivotal movement of the bed. Also, it will be noted that the shafts ll upon which the roller sections it are rotatably mounted are so aligned that they point toward the pivot it. Thus, as the bed is pivoted about the pivot 53, the sections IQ of the rollers l5, being aligned on a radius drawn through the pivot point, travel along circular arcs about the pivot l3, and no appreciable slippage occurs.

The ends of the shafts I! are secured in depending brackets IB which, in turn, are secured to the bottom board It by means of woodscrews IS, a suitable reinforcement 28 being interposed between the brackets and the bottom board I l.

Turning now to the discussion of the construction of the table structure 9, it will be seen to be roughly L-shaped with a straight back adapted to extend along a wall and to comprise an end table portion 25 and a relatively narrow, longitudinally extending back-rest or shelf portion 25. The arcuate cylindrical recess 3|, which receives the head end H of the bed I0, is formed in the angle of the L intermediate the shelf portion 25 and the end table portion 25, and vertically fluted upholstery 32 is secured in the recess 3! so as to form a comfortable concave back adjacent the head of the bed I I.

A storage cabinet of suitable proportions to receive luggage and similar articles is formed under the end table 25, and enclosed by a cupboard door 30. The space 36 immediately under the shelf portion 26 forms a storage compartment for bedding, which is enclosed by a hinged door 27, which is also upholstered so as to form a comfortable back for the extended portion of the bed.

The foot end of the shelf portion 26 is supported by a vertical member 28 which also serves to support an interior shelf 35 which forms a bottom for the bedding storage compartment 38. The back of the bedding compartment 36 is enclosed with a vertical panel 29 which also serves to reinforce the entire structure.

The door 2'! is hingedly attached to the shelf 26 along the top edge of the door by means of hinges 33, and when the bed In is being made up for nighttime use, the door may be raised to the position 21a shown in Figure 4, leaving the bedding readily accessible to the person making up the bed, the latter at that time being in the position Illa as shown in Figure 1.

Thus, it will be seen that the structure shown makes full and economical use of the space oocupied thereby, and that the reduced width of the exposed portion of the bed It is suitable for use as a lounge during the daytime, particularly because of the back-rest provided by the upholstered door 2?, while still providing a bed of comfortable width for nighttime use. It will also be noted that the forward extent of the end table 25 is such as to still leave free access to the bed when the same is in the nighttime position lfla, and yet the recess 3! is of sufiicient extent to provide room for one or even two persons to sit in the recess when the bed is in its daytime condition.

While the article shown and described herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it will be realized that it is capable of considerable modification without departure from the spirit of the invention. For that reason, I do not mean to be limited to the form shown and described, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an article of furniture of the class described: a bed having an arcuate convex end; a fixed table structure having a top surface higher than said bed and a concave recess complemental to said bed end, formed in a side of said table structure with said bed end pivotally secured therein for movement through an angle of substantially 90; and a back rest fixed to said table structure and extending from an end of said recess to form a divan back for said bed when at one limit of said angular movement.

2. In an article of furniture of the class described: a bed having an arcuate convex end and a first pivot bearing member secured to the undersurface of said bed at the center of curvature of said bed end; a fixed table structure having an L-shaped top surface substantially higher than said bed and a concave recess complemental to said end, formed in a side of said table structure in the interior angle of said L-shaped top with said convex bed end received therein; and a second bearing member complemental to said first bearing member affixed to said table member ad jacent the center of curvature of said recess and engaged with said first bearing member to secure said table structure and bed together for relative pivotal movement of the latter through an angle of at least 3. In an article of furniture of the class described: a bed having an arcuate convex end; a fixed table structure having a top surface higher than said bed and a concave recess complemental to said bed end formed in a side of said table structure with said bed end pivotally secured therein for movement through an angle of at least 90; and a substantially vertically disposed concave member fixed to said table structure in said recess to form a backrest for a person sitting on said bed adjacent the head thereof.

4. In an article of furniture of the class described: a structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said table-height surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent an end thereof, and a relatively narrow backrest portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge; and a bed having an end thereof secured in the angle between said table and backrest portion and pivotally secured to said structure for swinging movement in a horizontal plane through an angle of substantially 90 between a position wherein said bed is substantially parallelto said edge anda position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to said edge.

5. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adaptedtobe positioned along a wall, said tableheight surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along a remainder of said edge; a bed substantially lower than said table-height surface and substantially-equal in length to said shelf portion, said bed being normally positioned with an end thereof against a side of said table and a side-adjacent portion of said bed underlying said shelf portion; and pivot bearing'means interconnected between said structure and bed for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right anglesto said edge.

6. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped tableheight surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said surface having as table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge; amovable bed substantially lower than said table-height surface and substantially equal in length to said shelf portion,

said bed being normally positioned with an edge thereof against said table and a side-adjacent portion of said bed underlying said shelf; a backrest secured to a front edge of said shelf portion and depending therefrom; and pivot bearing means interconnected between said structure and saidlbed for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to said back edge.

'7. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said surface having a table portion extending forwardly from. a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and, a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said, table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge; a lower shelf supported in said stationary structure and underlying said shelf portion, said lower shelf being spaced from said shelf portion to form therewith a bedding compartment under said shelf portion; a movable bed lower thansaid lower shelf and substantially equal in length to said shelf portion, said bed being normally positioned with an end thereof against said table and a sideadjacent portion of said bed underlying said lower shelf; and pivot bearing means interconnected between said structure and bed for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to said back edge.

8. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof,

and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral,

with said table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge; a lower shelf supported in said stationary structure and underlying said shelf portion, said lower shelf being spaced from said shelf portion to form therewith a bedding compartment under, saidshelf portion; a movable bed lower than said lower shelf and substantially equal in length to said shelf, portion, said bed being normally positioned with an end thereof against said table and a side-adjacent portion of said bed underlying said lowershelf; a depending member hingedly secured to the front edge of said shelf portion to serve as a backrestfor a person sitting on said bed when the same is in, said normal position, said dependin member also serving as a closure for said bedding compartment; and pivot bearing means interconnected between said structure and bed for ivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially atright angles to said back edge;

9. In an article of furniture of the class (1 scribed: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor having a horizontal L-shaped table,- height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said table=height surface having a table portion extendin forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said table portion, and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge; a movable bed substantially lower than said table-height surface and substantiall equal in length to said shelf portion, said bed being normally positioned with the head thereof against said table and a side-adjacent portion of said bed underlying said shelf; verticalaxis pivot bearing means interconnected between said structure and bed adjacent th head thereof for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to said back edge; and support means for said bed including at least one relatively elongated roller secured to an underside of said bed adjacent the foot thereof, said roller having the rotary axis thereof aligned with a radius drawn through said pivot bearing axis.

10. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on, a floor and having a horizontal substantially L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned against a wall, said table-height surface having a table surface extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof. and a re atively narrow backrest portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge, said stationary structure having a vertical, cylindrical recess formed in a side thereof adjacent the intersection of said table and backrest portions; a movable bed substantially lower than said table-height surface, substantially equal in length to said backrest portion, said bed having a convex end complemental to said recess and received therein and said bed being normally positioned parallel to said back edge; and pivot bearing means having a vertical axis positioned at the center of curvature of said recess, said pivot bearing means being interconnested between said structure and bed for pivotal movement of the latter in horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to said back edge.

11. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal substantially L-shaped table-height surface with a strai ht, back edge adapted to be positioned against a Wall, said table-height surface having a table surface extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge, said stationary structure having a vertical, cylindrical recess formed in a side thereof adjacent the intersection of said table and shelf portions; a movable bed substantially lower than said table-height surface, substantially equal in length to said shelf portion, said bed having a convex end complemental to said recess and received therein and said bed being normally positioned with an edge-adjacent portion thereof underlying said shelf portion; pivot bearing means having a vertical axis positioned at the center of curvature of said recess, said pivot bearing means being interconnected between said structure and bed for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is substantially at right angles to the back edge; and rotatable support means for said bed including at least one relatively elongated roller rotatably secured to the under surface of said bed adjacent the foot thereof on a rotary axis aligned with a radius drawn through said pivot axis.

12. The construction of claim 11 further characterized by having a relatively fiat upholstered member secured to the front edge of said shelf portion and depending therefrom to form a backrest for a person sitting on said bed when the latter is in said normal position thereof.

13. In an article of furniture of the class de scribed: a bed having an areuate convex end; and a fixed table structure shaped as a horizontal L having two back edges meeting in an exterior angle, one of said edges being substantially longer than the other, said tabl having in the side thereof and in the interior angle o said L a concave recess complemental to said bed end with said bed end pivotally received therein for swinging movement in a horizontal plane from a position in which said bed is p rallel to said longer edge, to a position in which said bed is at a substantial angle to said longer edge.

14. In an article of furniture of the class described: a bed having an arcuate convex-end; a fixed table structure shaped as a horizontal L having two back edges meeting in an exterior angle, one of said edges being substantially longer than the other, said table having in the side thereof and in the interior angle of said L a concave recess complemental to said bed end with said bed end pivotally received therein for swinging movement in a horizontal plane from a position in which said bed is parallel to said longer edge, to a position in which said bed is at a substantial angle to said longer edge; and a back restsecured to said table and extending from an end of said recess parallel to said longer edge and above the top of said bed whereby to form a divan back for said bed when the latter is in said position parallel to said longer edge. r

"15. In an article of furniture of the class de-- scribed: a structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped top surface with a straight back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said top surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent an end thereof, and a relatively narrow back rest portion integral with said table portion extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge, said back rest portion having a lower margin spaced above said floor; and a bed having an end thereof secured in the angle between said table and back rest portion, a rear edge of said bed when the same is in a first position being under said back rest margin whereby said bed and back rest portion combine to form a divan, said bed being pivotally secured to said structure for swingin movement in a horizontal plane through a substantial angle from said first position to a second position in which said bed edge is entirely withdrawn from under said back rest portion.

16. In an article of furniture of the class described: a stationary structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped table-height surface with a straight, back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said tableheight surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent one end thereof, and a relatively narrow shelf portion integral with said table portion and extending therefrom along a remainder of said edge; a bed substantially lower than said tableheight surface and substantially equal in length to said shelf portion, said bed being normally positioned with an end thereof against a side of said table and a side-adjacent portion of said bed underlying said shelf portion; and pivot bearing means interconnected between said structure and bed for pivotal movement of the latter in a horizontal plane to an alternate position wherein said bed is withdrawn from under said shelf portion.

17. In an article of furniture of the class de scribed: a structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped top surface with a straight back edge adapted to be positioned along a wall, said top surface having a table portion extending forwardly from a portion of said edge adjacent an end thereof, and a relatively narrow back rest portion integral with said table portion extending therefrom along the remainder of said edge, said back rest portion having a lower margin spaced above saidfioor; a bed having an end thereof secured in theangle between said table and back rest portion, a rear edge of said bed when the same is in a first position being under said back rest margin whereby said bed and back rest portion combine to form a divan, said bed being pivotally secured to said structure at a vertical hinge axis thereon for swinging movement about said hinge axis through a substantial angle from said first position to a second position in which said bed edge is entirely withdrawn from under said back rest portion; and a plurality of elongate rollers secured to the under side of said bed to support the same for said sw nging movement, the rotary axes of said rollers being aligned on horizontal radii through said hinge axis.

1:8. In an article of furniture of the class described: a structure adapted to rest on a floor and having a horizontal L-shaped top surface f a traight back edge adapted to be positloned alone a w sa d op surface having a table portion extendin forwardly from a portion ceived in said recess, a rear edge of said bed when 10 the same is in a first position being under said back rest margin whereby said bed and back rest portion combine to form a divan, said bed being pivotally secured to said structure for swinging movement in a horizontal plane through a substantial angle from said first position to a second position in which said bed edge is entirely withdrawn from under said back rest portion.

TRUMAN S. ZIEGENFUS S.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,435,371 Bartlett et al Nov. 14, 1922 2,495,494 Ziegenfuss Jan. 24, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 70,301 Germany Aug. 11, 1893 185,890 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1936 

